|
Odyssey By Edward S.
Characters: Longing the Wolf, 27 Male Wander the Eagle, 23 Female
Setting: Madagascar, Tree and Cave Time: 3:00 pm, Summer At Rise: Longing the Wolf just gets home to the cave he shares with Wander the Eagle.
Longing: Honey I’m home. (Comes over to her and kisses her.) Did you do something to your feathers? And you look thinner, you doing yoga or something?
Wander: (worried, trying to hide something) No, nothing like that. You’re probably seeing things.
Longing: Oh alright. Hey do you remember when we had our first date and we saw that couple of pigs with a new born baby and I spaced out and dropped into the lake?
Wander: How could I forget? I had to jump in and save you. (giggles) It was probably the most…interesting date I have ever been on.
Longing:
(grins) I was wondering…maybe we should get our family started.
Wander: Not this again. I told you we are too young! Where is all this coming from?
Longing: I overheard down at the palm trees that the east side lion gang just killed that family of pigs 3 days ago.
Wander: Oh no! (embraces Wolf)
Longing: (slowly pulls away) It made me think about life and how it is so short. God forbid anything happens to us but if something does I want a couple little ones to continue our legacy.
Wander: How about we just leave this jungle and go somewhere safe? You know I’ve been wanting to see new places, try new things.
Longing: I don’t know. I’m tired of moving around let’s just stay where we are.
Wander: Tired of moving around? I thought you lived in this jungle your whole life?
Longing: (looks nervous) Uh…I mean…I’m just tired! I don’t want to go anywhere but here.
Wander: Longing, I know when you’re lying to me! Tell me the truth.
Longing: …I’m originally from Russia.
Wander: What? (confused)
Longing: And my mom’s been dead since I was 7. And I never met my father. I grew up fending off different predators after their next meal. I had to steal from families and old animals. I did this for years and felt myself die inside with every passing day. I became ruthless and I hated it. I was on the verge of killing myself, I wanted to take myself out of my misery…until I met you…
Wander: But you told me your parents were over protective like mine?
Longing: I know, I just thought that we were just so different and that you would never fall for a wolf like me.
Wander: I didn’t fall for you because we had the same background. I fell in love with you because you are the most loving and caring person I know. I knew you were the one when you saved me from getting killed from the East side lion gang.
Longing: Thanks, but I don’t think I can handle moving right now. After all I’ve been through.
Wander: But Longing, you know that I’ve always wanted to leave this place. You know that my parents kept me locked up in that nest for years! I don’t have that much time left! (covers mouth)
Longing: Not much time left? What do you mean?
Wander: I…I didn’t mean…(runs away)
Longing: (grabs wing) Wander, tell me what’s wrong. You know you can tell me anything…
Wander: I went to the veterinary clinic and got some x-rays because I felt a lump on my chest. It turned out it was a tumor…(cries) Longing, I have cancer! (puts head in Longing’s chest)
Longing: You what? (lifts her beak) You’re kidding right? Just like the time you were late on your period and said I should get neutered? Right? …Oh no, how could I have not noticed. I’m such an idiot. I had the nerve to ask you if you have been working out! I’m so sorry! Wander, I can’t loose you, you’re the reason I wake up eery morning. First my mom and now you, I feel like my heart’s been ripped out and trampled on my an elephant. You should’ve told me as soon as you found out.
Wander: No, it was wrong of me to keep it a secret from you. I should be the one apologizing. The doctor said I have less than a year. This is why I want to travel around the world because while I was sitting on the veterinary’s bed, I had a flash of my life and I haven’t done anything special or meaningful for myself, well, besides meeting you.
Longing: I don’t believe it…I never knew how you felt. But I think this is more the reason to have kids while we can, so you could always be with me one way, shape or form.
Wander: But what about what I want?! Why does it have to be all about you?
Longing: I didn’t mean it like that. I meant…
Wander: (cuts him off) I don’t want to hear it! What, you expect me to let my babies grow up without a mother?! Over my dead body. How could you even think that? Out of all people YOU should know what it feels like to grow up without a mom. Think about how they could turn out. They might end up like…
Longing: What? Like me?
Wander: You know I wasn’t going to say that!
Longing: You didn’t have to! Wander, please think about what I said. We both aren’t going to live forever. I probably only got a good 7 years. Wolfs don’t live that long. I just want to raise smart and loving kids. I want them to grow up to be proud that we were their parents. Not like my deadbeat father.
Wander: I feel for you Longing, I really do…but I can’t let myself do what you’re asking for. Just come with me, as my dying wish. And when I pass on you can start a family with someone else, someone better than me.
Longing: How can you even say that? You’re the only person, I can never imagine starting a family without you! I love you more than anything in this world! I refuse!
Wander: Well, I guess we can’t do anything about it.
Longing: So you’ll stay here and start a family with me?! Wander: No…I’m sorry Longing, it’s over. Don’t ever forget me because I know I’ll never forget about you. Goodbye Longing, I love you. (Flies away.)
THE END |
